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| Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 06:02 pm |
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1st Post |
Albert Sailhorst
Member
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OK, I've got an idea for a thread:
What have you seen at a reenactment that could be improved upon?
By this I mean improvements to uniform, battle, attitude, etc.....Things we've done that remind the "civilians" that we are living in 2007, not 1862....
What did a reenactor do "wrong", i.e., remind you that he is in the 21st century, rather than the 19th? (for me, it was when I saw a reenactor with a cell-phone clipped to his pants.....c'mon, if you have a cell phone, keep it hidden in your vehicle or haversack! It's ok to have one to call your wife, but geeze, hide it better, don't walk around the camps with it! ...and yes, this was during the time that camps were open to the public). Or even smoking cigarrettes. If you have to smoke, smoke a pipe or cigar (OK, I am guilty of smoking cigarrettes, but I have a rule: I ONLY smoke them when camps close and the public is gone. If the event is a total emersion event, I'll leave them in the car for the weekend. I also don't throw my butts in the fire or on the ground.) Remember, we're there for the public just as much (or more so!) as we are for ourselves!
*I have a feeling this may turn into a farby bashing session!!....Sorry!!
On the other side of the coin, those "purists" who count thread stitches are equally at fault (after all, if a soldier had to mend a garment, how skilled in sewing do you think he was? Or did he just simply fix what needed to be fixed the best way he knew how with what he had available in the field?)
Thanks!
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 06:27 pm |
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2nd Post |
Marie
Member
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A couple years ago I was conduting a lantern tour at a very small reenacment.
One unit had a cannon and was portraying an outfit that had been at Vicksburg (forget which one) The men knew their stuff when it came to the gun.
I asked them What part of the line they had served ?
"The North"
"Of course, but were you under Sherman's command?"
"Sherman wasn't at Vicksburg."
I wonder if Pemberton knew that?
* I was just back from Vicksburg, and had a ggguncle there with Sherman but I didn't argue with them.
My point is if you are going to attempt first person know the unit history.
Off my soapbox,
Jana
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 09:34 pm |
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3rd Post |
Johan Steele
Life NRA,SUVCW # 48,Legion 352
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There is quite a lot I could start bashing upon... perhaps the worst pet peave for me is the presence of Hawken Plains Rifles in a number of CS units... wasn't an arm used and is simply used because it's inexpensive and "looks" like a CW arm NOT!!! Add to that rusty & unclean weapons... the men they portray literally lived w/ those weapons; their uniform might have gotten pretty raged at times but their weapons were clean & ready for use.
Then there is the ever present Cav boys w/ 5-8 pistols and the "Yeehaw" attitude. Irritating that they portray men who lived and breathed horses and they rarely know the difference between a horse and a mule.
Then there is the infamous sewer pipe gun... but you probably already know all about that bit of unsafe stupidity. Scares the ever living hell out of me every time I see it fired... flame is NOT supposed to shoot 3' out of a touch hole.
Such things are part of the reason I have really concentrated far more on the Living History aspect of the hobby. Safer, less farbism and more actual opportunity to educate the public.
There I've vented...
THat said I have noticed a very real improvement of CS re-enactors in the upper midwest; IMO largely through the stellar efforts of units like Scott's Battery, Dick Pahorsky and his 17th TN (which unfortunately has disbanded). Quality does indeed rub off on people.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2007 11:46 pm |
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4th Post |
Fuller
E Pluribus Unum
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I attended a Living History encampment years ago. I was young but something happened that has stuck with me for years. I was walking with several other girls who were all wearing hoop skirts. I had my daycamp dress on at the time. We passed by an adult male in uniform who was sitting under a tree. As we walked by he hissed at us that only women of the night wore hoops during the day. I was prepared to shrug it off but one of the girls took it to heart and told Daddy-O (who happened to be wearing more stripes on his arm than any other man) and we soon found ourselves in the middle of a "trial". The man who was found guilty had traveled several hundred miles for this event only to find himself in a stockade for over an hour in the noon day sun. Yes, he could have chosen a better way to present his observation about the girls but I still thought his punishment was a little extreme. I wanted to crawl under a rock as I watched spectators pose with the sweaty soldier with bent knees for a photo.
My point is that we have to realize many people do spend a pretty penny to get all the gear and travel around to these places. Complete accuracy should be the goal of everyone but it should also be fun. No one is born with all the knowledge to be able to pull off the hard core style of reenacting. It is a learning experience that takes time and lots of studying (not to mention cash). I admire the ones who do have the knowledge yet still take the time to gently educate the less informed but willing to learn folk.
Fuller
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| Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 09:44 pm |
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5th Post |
ole
Member
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Not a fox pass, but I'll remember it forever.
Passing through Iowa myself one summer day I saw a sign promoting a reenactment just off the highway (turned out to be Herbert Hoover's birthplace). Got there too late for any real action but chatted briefly with a blue-clad artilleryman standing by a 6-pounder.
He said their unit had reenacted for the film, "Gettysburg." Says I, "Pardon me, I had understood that the Union had no 6.....") He interrupted, "We went as Confederates."
Some of them know what they're talking about.
Years later, at a fairly popular local event, a group reenacting colored infantry was there with their ladies and looking good -- except for one young follow with corn rows and multiple ear adornments. I was so glad to note the interest that I purposely ignored the farby aspects. No doubt his comrades were similarly beside themselves with glee in having a young, interested member -- so much so that they were willing to tolerate the glaring anachronism.
Ole
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| Posted: Sun Oct 14th, 2007 11:47 pm |
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6th Post |
1stSgt P.
Member
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I agree with you Johan,about the " Yeehaw" attitude.
My pet peave is the Dismount Cav. Now before I go any futher I am not dissing the Dismounted Cav as a whole. I am talking about the ones who usually show up with 8 to 10 pistols in their belts,and want to have a showdown in camp during public viewing.
Cars parked beside the tents during the events. This is even after they have been asked to remove their vehicles(knowing that they need to be removed).
I have seen more black wranglers,lace up Justins,& work boots being worn.Modern eyewear,modern cigarettes. Ice chests out in the open,speckled cookwear.
I know that I could always improve something,but I am trying. I know others that I have seen at several events don't improve,or try to "hide" items. It is taking away from the others who are wanting to experience as much as they can.
P.L. Parault
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| Posted: Mon Oct 15th, 2007 12:46 am |
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7th Post |
ole
Member
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Never attended one as sloppy as that, Sgt. So far, my untrained eye has caught nothing out of sorts (which doesn't mean there weren't any a better eye could see). I do check to make sure they're not grilling hamburgers and don't have an unconcealed cooler in the tent.
ole
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| Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 09:03 pm |
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8th Post |
1stsgtmacmillan
Member
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I haven't seen six pouneders at an event but, if I remember correctly that was a Mexican War vintage gun and were they not all out of service by the CivilWar? (Even for the Confederates?). My pet peeve? Cell phones. Hell, I don't like the things in 21st century Neil
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| Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 10:43 pm |
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9th Post |
ole
Member
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1stsgt:
Lots and lots of 6-pounders were in use during the opening of the hostilities. The Federals replaced them to the point that they had none at Gettysburg. But they were a staple and show up in batteries on both sides throughout. One reason, the rifled gun was all but useless with cannister.
I share your distaste for cell phones. I have one, but you'll never see me on it. It's just there -- in case.
ole
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